Archive By Section - Local News

The Great Bend Recreation Commission and the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo are offering some great classes this summer. Classes will run from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the next three Thursdays, June 9, 16 and 23, at the zoo. They are open from children 7-12 years old.

The birth of six arctic fox kits this past month at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo is part of an ongoing effort to breed animals that have a species survival plan. But in spite of new additions in recent years, there are several geriatric animals in the zoo's population. They require special care, which is often expensive.

Noting the importance of Larned State Hospital to Barton County and the area, the County Commission Monday morning endorsed a letter of support calling for the formation of a Legislative interim committee to study the issues plaguing the facility.

MANHATTAN - Great Bend's Eric Vasquez and Larned's Mason Schartz won primary elections for a state office at the 2016 American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy (ALBSKLA) Monday. Vasquez is running for Attorney General. Schartz is a candidate for Commission of Insurance.

Jon L. Prescott, Ellinwood, filed to run for the House of Representative seat serving the 113th District, which includes large portions of Barton and Rice counties, all of Stafford and Pratt counties, and the eastern part of Pawnee County. Jon has been a Kansas resident for his entire life and fully understands the needs and concerns of the folks he will be serving in central and south central Kansas. A graduate of Fort Hays State University in Marketing and Finance combined with his 33 years in business make him a qualified Republican candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives. Jon ...

Great Bend resident Sharon Shelton-Wondra announces her Republican candidacy for Barton County Commissioner, second district. She was born and raised in Barton County and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1970. She married Harold Wondra in 1974 in Great Bend where together they raised their three children. She is currently a member of Holy Family Church where two of her five grandchildren attend school. She has an outgoing personality, loves sports, loves being around family and friends and engaging with people in her community. She started the Hap Dumont and Quick Silver programs with family, friends, citizens and businesses ...

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is warning the public of a rapidly emerging drug threat that is believed to have contributed to a number of accidental drug overdose deaths in Kansas within the past month. This drug, "U-47700", has no accepted medical use and poses a risk to Kansas citizens.

The farmers market is open in Jack Kilby Square. There are hotrods, classic cars and motorcycles on the south side of the Barton County Courthouse Square, and a free movie will be starting at 9 p.m. tonight (Friday).

Ellsworth County Attorney Joe Shepack has released a statement on the Great Bend bus incident. Two juveniles were convicted this week, each on one charge of a Class B misdemeanor battery in Ellsworth County District Court.

The Great Bend City Council will meet Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at the council chamber. The agenda includes informational items including city council reports, the City Administrator Howard Partington's update, appointments, an economic development report by Jan Peters, and Partington will give an update on the calendar that is being developed for the bond issue to pay for the improvements to the city's water system.